The Upper Perkiomen School District’s superintendent of schools, Dr. Beth Yonson, has tendered her resignation. 

        Coming on the heels of a state auditor general-spawned controversy over her predecessor’s retirement benefits, Yonson gave notice Friday, but for a different reason altogether, said board officials.

        According to a press release dated Friday, “Yonson is pursuing her resignation and intend[s] to retire from the employment of the district as the result of undisclosed medical issues.”

        While School Board President Bill Scott said in a phone interview he couldn’t release any more information on her departure from the district, he did say she will be taking a medical leave of absence starting Friday and will not be fulfilling the duties of superintendent until her official retirement date.  That date is June 30, 2014.

        Instead, Assistant Superintendent Dr. Fran Leskowicz will be taking over as a substitute superintendent until then, per the press release. An acting superintendent has not yet been determined, officials said.

        In the release, the school board wished Yonson a “speedy recovery and transition to her retirement.”  It goes on to say the district will “use its best efforts to continue the culture of collaboration and focus on student learning that exists within the district.”

        “It is something we’ve been aware of and the board has been in constant discussion about,” Scott said of her resignation.

        Yonson, who came highly recommended to the district, was less than two years into a five-year contract.  She started her time at Upper Perkiomen Feb. 27, 2012, following the retirement of Dr. Timothy Kirby.  She had a starting salary of $170,000.  Her previous experience included superintendent of Morrisville School District, assistant superintendent of Bangor Area School District, principal and assistant director of an intermediate unit, an adjunct college professor and a teacher from grades six to 12. 

        Yonson’s resignation will be up for a vote at a special Dec. 19 school board meeting at 7 p.m., at the education center. The meeting is open to the public.